None of Us Are Here by Choice

by Bui Trong Phuc

After Penrose-512 was sucked through a wormhole. Elster and Ariane were forced to land on earth. They then enlist the help of a local survivalist to help them navigate through the remnants of a once-thriving civilization fighting off Fungi-infected monsters and hostile survivors alike (Taking elements from The tv show and game)

2. Explanation Part one

Author's Note: All properties are the rights of their respective owners:Rose-engine,Humble Bundle Inc, Naughty Dog,Sony

Edit: English is not my first language so expect errors and grammar blunders

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The Last of Us Part 2 Soundtrack-Soft Descent

USA

Deep in the forest

15 Years After The Outbreak

17:50

Cycles 3020

Alice POV

After driving the car toward the General Area of where the UFO at. I took out the map and compact and began my search on foot. I began to make a mental image of the local area to determine where in the area The UFO could have crashed or even Landed. And if I knew my area well and I SHOULD. Being all over the area for decades now I should be able to locate where in the forest the UFO has landed. It was summer so I still had more daylight than usual before it becomes dusk.

After I memorized all the details of the local area. I adjusted my headband and begin to wonder why in the world would I endanger myself to save some alien that I know nothing about. All I know is that I could have taken the opportunity to bail after the infected were drawn out by the UFO, and who KNOWS maybe the alien could have handled it and didn't need my help or...or WORST kidnapped me for their alien experiments.

There were a lot of things that could go wrong and I was not in the mood to tempt Murphy's Law. But there...Was something about this whole affair that just rubbed at my gut and over many years that I was taught by my uncle. He always taught me to "trust your gut" and that little wisdom has saved my ass more than a few times in many past.

Still, after I put away the map and compact. I forged ahead after I triangulate the location of where the UFO might have been. I started to walk toward the forest area, and as I trekked through the forest I realized that it was quiet too quiet in fact. I still have my weapons on me and was keeping an ear out preparing for these Stalker infected to come out, and attack me out of nowhere.

Usually, there aren't that many infected that roamed in these woods. Most of the infected, are always gathered in high-population Areas like the big city or small ones like Union City, and I hear somewhere in the past that New York City has the largest concentration of infected anywhere in America. Still, the point is that a small group of infected can sometimes wander off, and with how much noise the ship caused. There was bound to be someone or...something drawn to what was going on.

And the fact that I am hearing nothing not even the sounds of fighting...Not that I know what alien fighting sounds like BUT...I like to imagine that if these aliens know they were landing on a death world they would have at least carried weapons and if they did not...I have to get to them ASAP before something nasty happened.

And as I make my way toward the cabin that I mark on the map many years ago. I see the door of the cabin is slightly open, And as I approach with my pistol drawn. I open the door slowly keeping an ear and eye out.

I begin to scan the abandoned cabin. Seeing indications and signs of someone recently being here like an object on the floor but there was...no one present. Except for the dead infected body that was still fusing to the wall, luckily this particular body wasn't the spore-spurting type otherwise I would have already had my gas mask on. After concluding that whoever had been here had already left. I exit the cabin.

I begin to look for clues, tracks, or footprints to see which way they might have gone. At first, I only saw some animals track like deer or buck, and even paw prints like fox or wolves. That is until I spotted boots prints and what look...huh?...I had never seen track prints like this one before. It looks like a studded mark?... that walks alongside the booted one and the trail of boot print leads deeper into the forests.

Bingo. This must be our alien friends. And from there I continued to follow the trail as it leads me deeper into the forest, but as I continued trekking deeper into the woodland.

"RUN"

"AEEEEEHGHH"

What sounds like a woman's yelling and that...distinct croaking. My heart started to race as I bolted further and further into the trail. Upon reaching the commotion, I saw a humanoid being tackled down to the ground by the same Stalker from the sawmill. The humanoid is surprisingly capable of holding off The infected from taking a chunk out of them.

Then I heard a different croaking noise and turn only to see the other Stalker running toward another...humanoid who look like a deer caught in the headlights. Thinking fast I quickly draw out my bow and arrows in one smooth motion and take aim toward the infected that was charging toward the humanoid, and then...I took a breath.

Everything seemingly moves in slow motion as I steady my aim and let go of the arrow, watching it sail through the air and pierce the infected through the head with a fatal impact, saving the stun humanoid from almost certain death. Then I rushed to the other infected that was still pinning the other humanoid on the ground.

Pulling out my kukri, I grappled the Stalker off of the humanoid and strike my blade into the neck of the infected. The Stalker seems to struggle with the blade embedded into its neck before I struck its neck again. Almost decapitating the Stalker and definitely killing it.

After making sure that the infected are dead. I walk over to the daze humanoid laying on the ground and upon getting closer I began to observe the humanoid. I...don't know what I expected but...the humanoids look remarkably almost human with a normal human hand, minus the leg which looks mechanical and studded. The humanoid was clearly wearing what looks like an environment suit that had orange and black coloring with the occasional white covering the hand and helmet.

And looking at the slightly cracked helmet. I saw...a human face looking back at me...What the fuck is going on?... She has short raven hair, dark blue eyes, and what looks like a seam? That ran one cheekbone over the nose and to the other. Her skin is white and looks artificial, synthetic even, and almost porcelain-like. Then I offer my hand to the human? And said.

"My name is Alice"

After a moment of just staring at my hand, The Alien human? reach out and took my arms and I pull her up to her feet or was it her Stub? The woman was surprisingly heavy and upon standing on her stub was tall, almost a head taller than me about halfway. Then the other humanoids came running into the tall woman and were hugging her.

The other humanoids look shorter and almost equal to my height, and they were also wearing a environment suits. And upon looking at the helmet I also saw a human face, but her face looks normal compared to the artificial feel the other woman had. She has red eyes and hair that looks...surprisingly white, snow fucking white in fact.

"Elster are you...okay?" a female voice asked worried, and then all of a sudden the White hair girl cry into the tall women's shoulder. " I am so sorry I wasn't able to do anything to help you...I was so scared..." she said as she was crying.

Then the tall woman her name was Elster nodded, and hugged the other woman "It's okay, I am okay...you can stop crying now, we are safe now" she said in a soft and kind voice.

"AahH"

"AAAAhhh"

FUCK she just jinxes us. Then all of a sudden we heard a lot of screams, I already had my gun pulled out Then turned to the source and see there were multiple infected running towards us. There is the FEDRA guard from the Sawmill mixed with some normal runners. Look like the FEDRA grunt turn into an infected real fast, I then turned to the two women who look alarmed at the runners coming towards us. Suddenly I have a plan.

"Where is your ship?" I suddenly asked the two of them.

"What?" The tall one Elster questioned with a confused look.

Then after a moment of mulling over if this is a good idea or not, should I trust them?. But…I have a sneaking suspicion that the two of them have no idea what was going on until today AND upon looking at their expression they looked...lost, ...tired, ...and frightened...like a...child..., and that...that provoked something deep inside me in my very being, like that vow I make myself many...many years ago. So with my decision makes, I pull out a revolver and offer it to the tall woman name Elster.

"I need you TWO to run back to your ship and...lock yourself in" I replied my tone firm.

"But...what about you?" The snow hair woman questioned surprised and worried in her voice that a stranger they just met is all of the sudden helping them.

"This ain't my first rodeo madam" I replied confidently, then I inform them of my plan. "I gonna distract and draw these infected away from y'all and then I...deal with them one by one"

The white hair women look like she wants to refuse and disagree with the plan. But Elster then took the revolver from my hand then...check the cylinder of the gun, after seeing that the firearm still have 4 rounds left she then closes the cylinder and pulls the hammer of the revolver back. Elster then looked at me and nodded.

"It Looks like you already know how to operate a revolver," I said expressing surprise in my voice. "Here have some ammo" I Then handed the tall woman over some .44 rounds. Elster then nodded again appreciatively at me, and after pocketing the bullet she said. "Good luck"

"At the end of the trail in a large clearing lay our ship...you find it," The white hair woman said before Elster lead her away.

"Watch your back...both of you " I sounded looking back at them.

"Hey, my name is Ariane" The white hair woman calls back looking at me.

"Same here my name is Alice" I recite the introduction before turning fully to face the infected. Time to dance you motherfucker. With my suppress MK23 loaded and ready, I aim my gun toward the Runners.

After I pop 2 consecutive headshots into the nearest runner. I yell out loud to get all of These infected their full attention on me and run. I was able to see that there were 6 runners of the Initial group of 10, the first 2 runners were killed by me, and the other 2 ran towards the direction of the ship.

Good enough. I have a sneaking suspicion that the tall woman Elster was more then capable than what she seemed. So is just me and the 6 infected ready to tear into me a new one. So after a while of running through the forest, I finally saw a field of grassland and the grass was...decently tall.

Perfect. I thought then ran hurriedly and ducked into the grass. Then the runner came charging out of the wood and into the grass, they seem to stumble and stagger when they reached the grassland. I was crouching in the grass waiting, then all of a sudden the infected all scattered into the tall grass seemingly in a random direction.

I then made my way silently to the infected that was farthest away from the group. I was sneaking around many of these infected stealthily so they wouldn't alert the others once one of them saw me. And after I was right behind my target, I then stand up and put the infected in a tight chokehold with my left hand, And with my right, I stab my kukri into its shoulders killing it without alerting the other.

1 down 5 more to go. I then took out my bow and arrow and aim at another head of the infected that was walking toward me. I then let go of the arrow and watch with satisfaction as the arrow sails through the air and penetrates the infected in the head, dropping it dead. And that seen to alert the others because all of a sudden the infected then rushed toward where I was crouching.

I then quickly and quietly vacate the area they were coming towards. I then lay low on the ground and waited, and after the infected seemingly calmed down. I then crouched and took out my pistol, feeling bold I then fire 2 accurate shots both scoring a hit in the head and dropping both of the infected dead on the ground.

There were only two left and they look like the two FEDRA guards from earlier. I could see the two of them moaning in pain, gasping, and slurring. Their body language is sluggish and erratic, suggesting they are still resisting the fungus's influence, albeit in vain and I could see in their mouth, tendrils that can infect a human through bite marks.

BANG

BANG

BANG

Then I heard a gunshot in the direction of where the spaceship it's. And it seems that the infected had ALSO noticed the sound, because the two of them suddenly turn and started to charge toward the direction of where the noise come from, specifically where the spaceship was supposed to be.

I didn't let them and suddenly rushed the two runners. I then punch one of the infected in the face disorienting it and made the infected fall to the ground. Then I turned to the other runners, only to dodge when the infected took a swipe at me. My only response, it's with a kick to the side of the guy and then a punch to the face for good measure.

I took out my kukri when the infected I knocked down get up and charged at me. I evade out of the way and swing the kukri into the runner's upper chest area and staggering it. Taking the opportunity, I embedded my blade into the dazing runner's head and killing it, and with that done I turned to the only infected still standing.

I see the only runners charge at me, I let it get close to me and evade. I then trip the infected making it fall back down to the dirt. I quickly went over the infected while it was still on the ground, and put the runner into a very tight chokehold. The infected struggled in my grips but I held firm for a while before it suddenly become limbs and dies.

After letting go of the dead infected, I stand up and checked my surroundings seeing that the area is clear. I then proceeded to scavenge the body for my arrow, and maybe some other useful miscellaneous if the body ever has them to begin with.

After checking the bodies and retrieving all of the arrows, I began to check the final two bodies that being the 2 FEDRA guards. Huh...I wonder where the final guard is?. But then I realized that the last one is probably the two runners that have gone after Elster and Ariane. They are probably fine Right?.

Anyways I began to search the FEDRA bodies, but there wasn't particularly any noteworthy item. Except for a couple of 9mm and even a 5.56 magazine. Hmmm...there is no rifle to be seen on the bodies, probably dropped it back at the sawmill. And upon closer inspection of the final FEDRA bodies, I found a handgun.

Specifically, what looks like a Glock Pistol.

Picking It Up, I began to examine the polymer-framed firearm and realized, that this is a Glock 18. My eyes widened at the realization, this Glock is a variant of the Glock 17 that can fire both semi-automatic and fully automatic, and if memory serves correctly this gun can spit lead at the rate of 1,100–1,200 rounds per minute.

The Glock looks well-maintained with only the Minor Scratches at the grip of the gun. The machine pistol has what looks like a 33-round-extended magazine and upon closer assessment, the gun has about 8 rounds left with one in the chamber. Very cool, Totally impractical but very cool nonetheless.

After I was done checking the body, I then pocket the firearm and began to make my way back to the trail. The way back was peaceful to say at least, I was still vigilant obviously but I have a feeling that everything was going to be smooth sailing for a while at least.

It was getting dark so I hurry my way back to the trail, reaching the trail I then collected the arrow that are still embedded in the Head of the Stalker. So...Ariane the white hair woman said that...At the end of the trail sat their ship in a large clearing somewhere. So then I double-time it to the ship before it gets completely dark.

And after a while, I finally reach the end of the trail, upon reaching the clearing I turn, and that is when I saw it. The ship is about the size of two large cargo planes roughly. The ship's shape almost looks like an arrow tip with the obvious wing at its side, and what looks like a...wait a Goddamn minute...that...that looks like the flag of...West Germany? Imprinted on the side of the wing...what the fuck?

There is also what looks like a blue and white triangle symbol on the side of the ship. The ship has the color white with a black line and there is also red that covers the bottom of the ship to the outer side of its wing. And standing on top of the ship is the tall woman Elster. She was still holding the revolver and that was when I saw the two bodies laying at the bottom of the ship. This must be Elster's handiwork, and upon spotting me she waves.

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SIGNALIS OST-Safe room

Penrose 512

USA

Deep in the forest

15 Years After The Outbreak

19:30

Cycles 3020

Elster POV

This is getting really awkward. After being saved by that Gestalt woman her name was Alice, She and Ariane were forced to flee back to their ship after a group of...Infected? emerge out of nowhere. The Gestalt woman then gives Elster a revolver and tells them to run back to their ship and lock themselves in.

The Gestalt Alice then diverted and lead most of the infected away from them, while she and Ariane scurried back to the ship. The Scout officer and The Replikas were able to make it back to their ship, but not before the two infected that were chasing them finally caught up.

The two infected were then seen twitching before charging at the both of them. But not before Elster was able to raise the revolver and fire at the infected. The first shot hit the first infected in the chest staggering it, the second shot was able to hit the next infected in the head killing It, and the third was finally able to kill the last infected for good this time.

After everything has seemingly calmed down and they have more room to breathe. Elster decided that Ariane should stay on the ship, while she goes back to find and assist Alice the Gestalt who has given her the mean to defend herself and Ariane.

But Ariane refused to be left behind on the ship while her lover went back to the forests and possibly get herself kill trying to help Alice. So Elster was forced to stay and guard the ship, hoping that Alice was able to take care of herself and make her way back to their ship.

However, Elster's fear was alleviated, and she sighs with relief when she saw Alice come out of the trail looking slightly weary and maybe a bit tired, but overall the Gestalt looks fine. And that leads them to the current present, they were in the stern of the lower deck. Elster was standing beside Ariane, who was sitting on a chair on one side and Alice sitting on the other.

Alice look like she had red hair that was tied in a bun and striking green eyes that looks like an emerald. Her figure is slim, with a small waist and very toned muscle that makes her look like an athletic person. And Elster could see that there are multiple scars across the hand and body of the woman. Alice wears what looks like a red color bandana that was tied to her forehead. The woman has on a black t-shirt that hugs her toned body and short black cargo pants. She has a gun that was strapped in a holder that she carried at her hip. Overall Alice looks like a very intimidating woman you do not want to cross with.

The awkward quiet has been going on for a good solid 10 minutes now and it doesn't help by the fact that their guests occasionally look strangely at the doodle on the table. The drawing was made by Ariane, it depicts a Kolibri unit in a sitting position, instead of a normal head like most Replikas this Kolibri has her head replaced by a Cauliflower, and written underneath the doodle, is said Caulibri.

Ariane must have realized what was going on. Because she suddenly developed a very faint blush, pick the drawing up, and put the doodle into her pocket. Alice looked at Ariane apologetically. Then Alice clear her throat and said finally breaking the awkward silence.

"Sorry for...staring..."

"It's okay it was just...a dumb drawing anyway" Ariane replied after a moment of gathering her wit.

"The doodle... it's some kind of pun isn't it?" Alice questions with a hint of amusement on her face.

"Yes," Ariane admitted looking a little embarrassed.

"Well the Pun is fine I even recognize that in German...but is just that...what the hell is a...Caulibri?" Alice wonders out loud.

"Well...I was just making fun of a...particular Replikas unit". Ariane explain but upon seeing the questioning look on Alice's face she then further clarified "They are called Kolibri and I thought that the name Kolibri and Cauliflower mixed well together...so I drew the doodle when I was...bored"

"Hmm...Replikas" Alice tasted the word in her mouth and then she inquires. "What the hell is a Replikas?"

"Huh?...you don't have Replikas here? Ariane questions but the only response she got is a shake of the head which makes Ariane clarify further. " Well...A Replika in the most basic explanation is...a biomechanical humanoid created for an all-purpose role from menial tasks like cleaning or mining to a more professional role like a teacher or a nurse... and finally military role like Protektor Security Guard."

After Ariane finished her explanation. Their guest then looks at Elster before turning back to look at Ariane with a look of contemplation on her face and asking.

"Is she..." Alice pointed at Elster "also Replika?"

"Yes" Was Ariane's only reply. After a moment of pondering about it, Ariane said "But Elster here is...unique...to say the least"

"How so?...is she that different from others...Replikas...like this Kolibri you mentioned?" Alice questioned curiously.

"Well in general. Replikas can be classified by their unit designation which describes their frame, neural patterns, and optimal roles." Ariane answers after a moment of gathering her thoughts and then she continues." I don't know that much about...Replikas because I am not a Replikas Specialist but I do know...that the Kolibri unit Is supposed to be...Bioresonance Specialists Replikas…And Elster Here...is a Pioneer Specialist Replikas designed to assist in orbital missions and are Combat Engineers and Technicians."

"Bioresonance huh? We get to that topic at a later time but..." Then Alice pointed her head at Elster and said. " So that it's? You make it sounds like she is just your standard Engineer"

"No obviously...but what makes her stand out from the rest of her peers is..." Ariane then looked at the Replikas with a smile on her face, Elster smile back then they reach out to entwine their hand together. Elster then kisses Her Gestalt in the forehead in a show of affection.

"Well...Well...Well, a surprise to be sure but a welcome one" Alice said surprised with a genuine smirk on her face.

End of Part 1